“The Nigerian Stock Exchange (The NSE or The Exchange) is pleased to announce that it will host the maiden edition of its Real Estate Investment (REIT) Conference on Tuesday May 23, 2017 at the NSE Event Centre, Stock Exchange House 2/4, Customs Street, Marina, Lagos.

The Conference themed “Real Estate Investment Trust in sub-Sahara Africa: The role of The Capital Market” will bring together key decision-makers, policy-makers, government officials, private sector players, property developers, asset managers, dealing members, investors and thought leaders to share experiences and explore growth potentials and opportunities inherent in the REITs market in Nigeria and Sub – Sahara Africa. Interested participants can register online for this non-fee paying Conference at http://www.nse.com.ng/NSE-REITs-Conference.

Speaking about the event, the Executive Director, Capital Markets of the Exchange, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, noted that the REIT Conference is an important meeting of stakeholders to dimension the current state of the Real Estate sector and to be acquainted with relevant emerging trends, strategies and policies. “One of our aims with the Conference is to discuss tropical and regulatory issues affecting the REITs within the Capital markets and Real Estate ecosystem as well as proffer strategic solutions for follow up implementation by The Exchange in its capital market advocacy role”.

He further said that “attendees at this conference will be apprised with the latest developments driving investment decisions in the real estate industry. Thus, increasing investor knowledge that can accelerate the unlocking of the huge potential and wealth creation capabilities in the Real Estate value chain”.

The conference will provide participants an opportunity to listen and engage key industry experts, key regulators, renowned international and local market operators and thought leaders in the Real Estate sector. The format will consist of keynote addresses, panel discussions and select topical l presentations by industry experts. The Guest speakers and panel discussants include amongst others:

REITs are investment vehicles that can be traded on a stock exchange and are primarily involved in investing and owning income-generating real estate assets. They allow both small and large investors to invest in portfolios of large-scale properties without actually having to go through the rigors of buying or financing property.

In 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued the first set of guidelines for the registration and issuance of requirements for the operation of REITs in Nigeria as detailed in the Investment and Securities Act (ISA). This has led to the listing of three (3) REITs companies with a market capitalization of about 40 billion naira as May 10, 2017. Currently one (1) REITs offer is about to be concluded and should be listed on the NSE.”